On a Chinese Screen

"On a Chinese Screen" by W. Somerset Maugham is a travel narrative written in the early 20th century. The work mixes vivid descriptions and observations as the author reflects on his experiences in China, capturing the essence of its landscapes, people, and culture. The narrative appears to explore the contrast between the alluring mystery of the East and the mundane realities of its daily life, offering insights into both the exotic and the ordinary aspects of Chinese society. The opening of the book introduces readers to a series of lively scenes set in China, immersing them in the richness of the surroundings. Maugham paints a picture of the city gate leading into a bustling marketplace filled with merchants, children, and animals, resulting in a vivid tableau of life. He then shifts focus to a character—a determined woman transforming an old temple into a home, revealing the interplay between the old and new in the culture. This opening portion sets the tone for a journey that promises to blend personal anecdotes and keen observations, encouraging readers to anticipate a deeply contemplative and engaging exploration of life in a foreign land. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Somerset Maugham was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories. Born in Paris, where he spent his first ten years, Maugham was schooled in England and went to a German university. He became a medical student in London and qualified as a physician in 1897. He never practised medicine, and became a full-time writer. His first novel, Liza of Lambeth (1897), a study of life in the slums, attracted attention, but it was as a playwright that he first achieved national celebrity. By 1908 he had four plays running at once in the West End of London. He wrote his 32nd and last play in 1933, after which he abandoned the theatre and concentrated on novels and short stories.